'The Host' star Saoirse Ronan joins Ryan Gosling's 'How to Catch a Monster'

Fantasy-drama also stars Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith and Eva Mendes

By Dave Lewis Saturday, Feb 9, 2013 2:17 PM

Saoirse Ronan

Credit: AP Photo

Ryan Gosling has just caught another big name for his upcoming directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster."

Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement") is joining the fantasy-drama, which also stars Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), Eva Mendes, and Ben Mendelsohn.

"Monstar" is describes as a noirish modern day fairytale set in a dying city, where a single mother named Billy (Hendricks) stumbles into a dark fantasy underworld after her teen son finds a hidden pathway leading to an underwater town. Ronan's role has yet to be revealed.

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel are producing along with Gosling via his Phantasma Films banner, and Michel Litvak and David Lancaster. It's based on a script by Gosling and begins principal photography this May in Detroit.

It marks the directorial debut from Gosling, who has starred in such recent films as "Gangster Squad" and "Drive" (with Hendricks) and will soon be seen in "The Place Beyond the Pines," which co-stars Mendes.

Ronan will soon be seen starring in "The Host," based on a book by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

She is currently shooting Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel," co-starring Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law and Bill Murray.

Dave Lewis
Producer

Dave Lewis has been a Los Angeles-based entertainment writer and editor for nearly ten years. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, he moved to L.A. in 1996 to attend USC, before working for various periodicals and web sites including a lengthy stint at Variety.com. He joined the HitFix staff in 2011.